JAMES Bond star Roger Moore has accepted undisclosed libel damages over claims that he "groped" a woman during the filming of 'For Your Eyes Only'.

The 87-year-old actor was not at London's High Court today for the settlement of his action against Associated Newspapers over an October 2014 story - headed Spy Who 'Groped' Me - which appeared in the 'Daily Mail' and on Mail Online.

His solicitor, Amy Bradbury, told Judge Patrick Moloney that the false allegations were without foundation and had caused serious harm to Mr Moore, who had received an apology, damages and his legal costs.

Ms Bradbury said that the article reported claims in an Australian magazine that made a number of serious allegations about Mr Moore - who was knighted by Britain's Queen Elizabeth for his services to charity - which were false and defamatory.

"In particular, it was claimed that Mr Moore had groped a 21-year-old lady, Debbie Newsome, during the filming of 'For Your Eyes Only' and had made a number of inappropriate physical and other advances towards her. "It was also wrongly claimed, amongst other things, that he had given Ms Newsome a gold bracelet covered in diamonds together with a bottle of expensive Champagne and an inappropriate note, and this happened during a party at which his then wife was present."

She added that the article was removed from Mail Online following a complaint by Mr Moore's solicitors.

Martin Wood, solicitor for Associated Newspapers, said it acknowledged that the claims made against Mr Moore in the magazine were untrue and it was happy to undertake not to repeat them. "The defendant apologises for any distress and embarrassment caused to Sir Roger and his family."